lavatory

[ lav-uh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

/ ˈlæv əˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

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See synonyms for lavatory on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural lav·a·to·ries.

a room fitted with equipment for washing the hands and face and usually with flush toilet facilities.

a flush toilet; water closet.

a bowl or basin with running water for washing or bathing purposes; washbowl.

any place where washing is done.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of lavatory

1325–75; Middle English lavatorie<Late Latin lavātōrium washing-place, equivalent to Latin lavā(re) to wash + -tōrium-tory²

Words nearby lavatory

lavash, Lavater, lavatera, lavation, lavatorial, lavatory, lavatory paper, lave, lavender, lavender bag, lavender ceiling

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use lavatory in a sentence

It was another hot day in the Negev desert of Israel, and several researchers from Ben-Gurion University were setting up a field lavatory.
Turkey and chicken poop have untapped energy potential|Lina Zeldovich|November 25, 2021|Popular-Science
A final call came into the Westmoreland County 911 Center in Pennsylvania from a man who said he was locked in the lavatory.
Sept. 11, 2001: An ordinary work day, then surreal scenes of dread and death|David Maraniss|September 10, 2021|Washington Post
Those who need to go to the bathroom are escorted by an officer to the plane’s tiny lavatory.
Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part I|Yariel Valdés González|July 7, 2021|Washington Blade
Pictures taken by Tarai show the flight attendant standing by the lavatory, feet away from Quinonez, as she waited for police to escort the passenger from the plane after they landed.
Video shows a woman punching a Southwest flight attendant in the face, knocking out teeth: ‘It was all bad’|Andrea Salcedo|May 28, 2021|Washington Post

Some cities, including Portland, Oregon, and Montreal, Canada, are rising to the challenge with stand-alone lavatories that anybody can use, free of charge.
How to build freestanding public restrooms that are clean and safe|Andrew Giambrone|April 28, 2021|MIT Technology Review
He jiggled the faceted glass door knob to let the person inside know he was hogging the lavatory.
Exclusive Excerpt: MLK's Haunting Final Hours|Hampton Sides|April 24, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The impromptu Bombastes excited universal applause, and just at the end Wright ran in through the lavatory.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar
The consequence was, that I was severely hurt, and might have been seriously injured in entering the lavatory.
Eric, or Little by Little|Frederic W. Farrar
There was a little lavatory off the third room of the suite, and Mr. Norcross went in and washed his face and hands.
The Wreckers|Francis Lynde
On the other, through a curtained alcove, he could see a tiny lavatory.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
A study of the illustrations will show clearly how the lavatory has been improved.
Elements of Plumbing|Samuel Dibble

British Dictionary definitions for lavatory

lavatory

/ (ˈlævətərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -ries

Also called: toilet, water closet, WC

a sanitary installation for receiving and disposing of urine and faeces, consisting of a bowl fitted with a water-flushing device and connected to a drain
a room containing such an installation

the washing place in a convent or monastic establishment

Word Origin for lavatory

C14: from Late Latin lavātōrium, from Latin lavāre to wash

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lavatory

Origin of lavatory

Words nearby lavatory

Words related to lavatory

How to use lavatory in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lavatory

Word Origin for lavatory